Changes

Francis Bennett: This is a thought provoking question, I must say. When I was writing ''The Crabber Stories'' I believe I was imagining young people like the Crabber himself. I structured each tale as a complete short story because I believed that modern students would feel more comfortable reading fiction in short form given the amount of electronic media they are accustomed to. Attention spans are short and information is transmitted quickly in this modern electronic era. Middle school and High School students no longer tackle War and Peace or even Gone with the Wind. I was hoping ''The Pearls'', for example, might more easily engage them.

Since publishing ''The Crabber Stories'', however, I have discovered that my readers turn out to be Baby Boomers, women, teachers, mothers, and working men in their forties. I have also had a wonderful response from middle school students who seem to identify with The Crabber's angst and adventuresome spirit.

* '''BB: I loved Crabber. How much of you is there in him?'''

FB: I write on my ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona. It is a powerfully beautiful place out on the high Sonoran desert where you can see all the way to the horizon. I start early and write for three hours in the morning then take a mid-day break for exercise, nourishment and siesta. Around three I go back to the computer and write till five. Since I e-publish, I have treated myself to all the latest computer equipment that makes the ''work'' of writing much easier. Every day I take great pleasure in trying to discover and tell the truth. It is not work for me. It is what I like to do and I'm fortunate that others will pay me to make the effort. I also love my tools…the style and structure of the English language. I received a classical education back in the fifties that gave me an appreciation for the beauty of a well- constructed sentence, the perfect word, an elegant paragraph and the purpose of correct syntax and musical punctuation. Sounds old fashioned, I know, but writing is about using language to communicate effectively. It is fun for me to use the tools correctly.

I can't think of anything I would ''rather not do at all'' as you put it. I prefer to be outdoors and so having to stay put to write I find a little trying, but I enjoy writing so much that I forget that I'm indoors most of the time.

* '''BB: What are you reading at the moment? What's your best book of all time?'''

FB: I am reading ''Boleto'' by Alyson Hagy. This is a novel about the modern American West where I live. I enjoy Hagy's intense personal style and deep observations that she dashes off on nearly every page. I have recently completed a study of advanced horsemanship techniques so ''Boleto'' deals with my current interests in a unique and engaging way.

* '''BB: You've got one wish. What's it to be?'''